Great weather is here! Finally I am back in my element. New contacts to get, new places to be and many things up my sleeves. Therefore, since I am predicting a busy and bright season I need to have my “must haves” down to the tea. Here is what we’ll need…

A GO TO STYLE : This summer will be my first summer as a natural, with plans I must say. I can not waste an hour per day in the mirror messing with my hair and shrinkage. I just don’t see it happening. This trivial problem is easily solved with rocking braided updos and protective styling, which will be our best friends during this summer.

We’re all familiar with the two strand twist method of protecting our hair and keeping it cute while also doing as less manipulation as possible. I know this will be a favorite hairstyle for lots of us naturals this summer. Especially seeing how it can be put into so many styles, this one is definitely a winner amongst us. It’s simple enough to do in spare time and may not be so time consuming… unless you have a lions mane. I can’t wait for mine to get there 🙂 .

The style to the right is also one that is versatile and simple to do. It is more time consuming than just wearing our twists, but the advantage is that you will be able to wear it longer. Meaning that you have less manipulating to do with your hair.

Washing your hair will also be easier in each other these styles. They will help reduce single strand knots. You can cowash, deep condition then when your hair has mostly dried add your favorite moisturizer and mixture of oils. Whether store bought or all natural homemade you’ll be happy. Then final step is to just re-twist. Simple enough for a naturalista on the go!

Now beauties in order to protect your hair from heat damage this summer be sure to use the proper products on your strands. You want to prevent your hair from feeling dry and brittle due to the higher temperatures it will experience this season. Moisturizing is the normal. It doesn’t matter what the month is, we have to do it. However, I do notice that lots of us love to flat iron and blowout our hair. Which is not a problem… if you do it the right way! I have not done a blow out or flat ironed my hair yet, but I will try it. While searching for some good quality hair protectants here is what I found…

HEAT PROTECTANTS : This particular protectant grabbed my attention. It has three different formulas, each with its own purpose. I thought this was genius. I have not tried any of these products, but I soon will be. And be sure I will be giving a review of how it worked or did not work on my 4c natural hair. Each one protects your hair up to 425 degrees fahrenheit and has a gloss finish… extra nice. 4c hair tends to look dull so a gloss finish is exactly what I will be looking for 🙂 . However if this doesn’t work or if you are not in the mood to purchase any new products you can also use some you may already have at home.

Natural oils are great, as we know, for protecting our hair. I think that avocado oil is one of the best. It is rich in vitamin E, minerals and amino acids which stimulate hair growth. Avocado oil also has a smoke point of 375-500 degrees fahrenheit depending on its state of refined or unrefined. Grapeseed oil is another great heat protectant for natural hair for all the same reasons listed. It is super light weight and moisturizing. It also adds great shine. I have used this in the past and I am happy with the results. Grapeseed oil is colorless and odorless so it won’t interfere with any other natural smells your hair may have. Between the Got 2 B brand heat protectant and natural oils I think my goal will be achieved.

Last but not least on my list of summer “must haves” is a great anti- shine pressed powder. I have no problem claiming oily skin. I am not the first and definitely will not be the last with this problem. I will be out and about this summer, as said previously, so I want to make sure that while I am socializing with others I don’t like a mirror, lol. Here are the following products to try…

ANTI-SHINE PRESSED POWDER : Shine control for my face will be one of the top priorities this summer. My forehead and nose area are the most problematic. To address this issue I have a couple of products I would like to try. My first option will be the Black Radiance brand of pressed powder. I really think that this is as far as I will have to look because I absolutely love their creme stick foundations! They are very true to color and last all day. Black Radiance’s pressed powder comes in seven different shades. Its formula is oil-free, oil absorbing, eliminates an ashy look and has a matte finish. This product can be found at drugstores for a inexpensive price. Sounds good too me, but for the sake of argument I am going to try another just to have something else to compare it to.

Iman’s luxury pressed powders also do the same as listed above. Each can be worn alone or works best with its own brand foundations. Iman’s pressed powders come in six different shades of Earth. It helps your makeup last longer, controls oil without giving you that drying look and dries to a matte finish. A matte finish is a must for oily skin. Iman products can be found at drugstores for a slightly higher price than Black Radiance.

That’s it beauties. Once you’ve found your go to style, preferred heat protectant and the bomb anti-shine pressed powder your summer is bright. Personal style, a few ladies night, family activities and beach days are all that require your attention.